New Book Focuses on Fireboat History

March 11, 2017

American Fireboats, written by retired firefighter Wayne Mutza, is the first comprehensive, illustrated account of fire and rescue boats in America, and sheds light on a heroic tradition dating to the 19th century.

The book documents everything from battleship-size fireboats so powerful their monitors could reduce concrete structures to rubble to small, waterjet-powered fireboats, and everything in between.

Included are operational details that showcase the proud traditions of marine firefighting. The author traces the evolution of mammoth wood and iron fireboats to modern, high-tech aluminum vessels whose role is dictated by ever-changing dangers and technology.